Post by Max on Sept 6, 2009 13:52:58 GMT -5
FADE IN:
ACT ONE
1 EXT. CHAIN GANG WORKYARD--AFTERNOON
CRANE SHOT- We go DOWN from the HOT SUN to reveal- a CHAIN GANG.
INSERT SUBTITLE: Toulon, France 1815
The Chain Gangs HAMMERS at ROCKS with PICK AXES and HAMMERS, SWEATING in the Dream like Orange light from the Sun. They are all WEAK, TREMBLING AT THE KNEES. BEHIND them are GUARDS, HOLDING RIFLES.
PRISONERS
Look down, look down Don't look 'em in the eye.Look down, look down,
You're here until you die.
FOCUS ON- A PRISONER.
PRISONER 1
The sun is strong,It's hot as hell below!
PRISONERS
Look down, look down,There's twenty years to go.
FOCUS ON- ANOTHER PRISONER.
PRISONER 2
I've done no wrong! Sweet Jesus hear my prayer!
PRISONERS
Look down, look down,Sweet Jesus doesn't care.
FOCUS ON- A PRISONER IN HIS 20'S. He STOPS
PRISONER 3
I know she'll wait,I know that she'll be true!
A GUARD walks BEHIND him. He KICKS HIM IN THE BACK. The Prisoner's face SMASHES AGAINST THE ROCKS, now BLEEDING. He LOOKS BACK as the Guard THREATENS to HIT HIM WITH THE BACK OF HIS RIFLE. The music and Prisoners keep singing through with the below lines.
PRISONERS
Look down, look down,They've all forgotten you.
FOCUS ON- A 4TH PRISONER.
PRISONER 4
When I get free ya won't see me Here for dust!
PRISONERS
Look down, look down Don't look 'em in the eye.
FOCUS ON- A 5TH PRISONER.
PRISONER 5
How long O Lord Before you let me die?
PRISONERS
Look down, look down,You'll always be a slave Look down, look down,You're standing in your grave.
INSPECTOR JAVERT ENTERS The Yard. PRISONER 24601 (Indicated by Faded Black Numbers on his Uniform)- JEAN VALJEAN WALKS FOWARD TO JAVERT. Valjean has A BEARD.
JAVERT
Now bring me prisoner 24601 Your time is up And your parole's begun You know what that means?
VALJEAN
Yes, it means I'm free.
JAVERT (CUTTING OFF)
NO! It means you get Your yellow ticket-of-leave You are a theif.
VALJEAN
I stole a loaf of bread!
JAVERT
You robbed a house!
VALJEAN
I broke a window pane! My sister's child was close to death And we were starving!
JAVERT
And you will starve again Unless you learn the meaning of the law.
VALJEAN
I know the meaning of these 19 years A slave of the law.
JAVERT
Five years for what you did The rest because you tried to run Yes 24601.
VALJEAN
My name is Jean Valjean.
JAVERT
And I am Javert Do not forget my name Do not forget me 24601.
PRISONERS
Look down, look down You will always be a slave Look down, look down You're standing in your grave.
The Prisoners are TAKEN AWAY as they keep singing.
VALJEAN
Freedom is mine. The earth is still. I feel the wind. I breathe again. And the sky clears, the world is waiting. Drink from the pool. How clean the taste Never forget the years, the waste. Nor forgive them, for what they've done. They are the guilty, everyone. The day begins...And now lets see What this new world
Will do for me!